Konjic, a town that hides Balkan's Top Secret

If Bosnia & Herzegovina sounds totally appealing to you for your next discovery and if you are about to make the itinerary, here is the place that is not-to-be-missed during your voyage. A place with a perfect fusion of history, culture, nature and adventure. A place where in one day you can experience rafting or canyoning of your life, visit one of the world’s most famous woodcarving museums, admire centuries-old bridge and finish your day in a glory by discovering one very special hideout. Interested? In that case, your bucket list has to include Konjic, a town that hides the Balkan’s Top Secret.

The oldest permanent settlement

Only 60 km away from Sarajevo and a bit more from Mostar hides this mysterious town. Nestled between some of the highest mountains in the country – Prenj, Bjelašnica and Bitovnja, the town of Konjic has splendid architecture, breathtaking canyons and peaks, as well as adorable people. This is also one of the oldest permanent settlement in Bosnia & Herzegovina, dating back to 4000 years ago. The cultural heritage of this region is exceptionally rich, mainly due to over 5000 medieval tombstones called “stećci”. Necropolis Biskup is inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List. After Radimlja necropolis in Stolac, this one is the second most important in the country.

A scenic six-arched Stone Bridge

Through millennia, different cultures & religions were overlapping here, which resulted in enriching heritage. The best example is Stone Bridge (Kamena ćuprija), a scenic six-arched bridge that was originally built in 1682. Even though it survived centuries, it got destroyed the last day of WWII. Luckily, this architectural masterpiece was rebuilt and reopened in 2009. Together with the Old Bridge from Mostar and The Bridge on the Drina River in Višegrad, Stone Bridge in Konjic is one of three the most important ones in the country.

Woodcarving of chairs for the Pope

The town of Konjic is world-famous for its woodcarving tradition. Two families – Mulić and Nikšić passed the craftwork over six generations. Nowadays, they produce woodcrafts mainly as customized orders. Their old houses have been transformed into museums of woodcarving and proclaimed as the movable heritage of Bosnia & Herzegovina. The workshop Mulić has been highly reputed and even engaged as woodcarvers of chairs for the Pope.

A paradise for pure adventurers

It goes without saying that the best trademark of this place is its nature. More precisely, an emerald and crystal-clear Neretva River that splits the town in two. And what stands out the most is its marvelous canyon that has been carved for millions of years. Obviously, this is a paradise for pure adventurers and one of the best whitewater rafting destinations in Bosnia & Herzegovina. If rafting is not adventurous enough, you can explore the canyon of Rakitnica River, one of the most unexplored ones in the Balkans. Just be aware that his is only for highly experienced and fit hikers. Alternatively, you can chill out at the Boračko Lake.

Underground Top Secret Project

Maybe it has only 11.000 inhabitants, but Konjic is famous for many things. What attracts foreign visitors the most is recently discovered underground top-secret project. Hundreds of meters below this peaceful place, there is fascinating endeavor worth 4.5 billion U.S. dollars. If you are a fan of James Bond films, this is a must-see, as you will not have a chance to discover twice something so spectacular. Impatient to know more about the town that hides the Balkan’s Top Secret? Well, now you know where to come.

Konjic

Konjic, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Tito's Bunker

Hadžića polje, Polje Bijela, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Boračko Lake

Boračko Lake, Jezero, Bosnia and Herzegovina